The Star-News

Eastlake gives assistant coach a 'Titan-ic' send-off

Fri, Oct 29 2010 12:07 AM Posted By: Phillip Brents

The proverbial game ball is usually reserved for the top performer or the player who makes the game-breaking play. Last Friday, the Eastlake Titans presented their game ball to defensive backs coach Freddy Arcaina, a 2000 EHS graduate who was making his final coaching appearance with the Titans after being accepted into the U.S. Border Patrol training academy.

Arcaina left the South Bay Sunday for El Centro for orientation and is now in El Paso for training. The Titans gave him an appropriate send-off with a 42-14 Mesa League victory at Chula Vista HS.

Arcaina posed with the team for photographs after the game with his personalized game ball autographed by the team.

The idea behind the farewell ceremony belongs to head coach John McFadden and assistant coach Rone Torres.

“Freddy is kind of the spiritual leader of the team and our weight training guru,” McFadden said. “He’s great with the kids and treated well by the kids.”

Arcaina, a free safety in high school and college, played two years at Grossmont College before earning All-American honors at Iowa Wesleyan. He was a team captain for the Titans his senior year.

“He was a great offensive player as well for us as a Z-back and back-up quarterback,” McFadden said. “He was a smart player and one of the best leaders we’ve ever had at Eastlake.”

Arcaina held the autographed ball up high during the photo session. Words were not necessary. It meant something.

Last Friday’s win also meant something to the Titans: the team’s 19th consecutive win in an overall 21-game unbeaten streak (19-0-2).